What is the best way to obtain an onward flight ticket quickly for my travel to Thailand?

Mar 8, 2024
8 months ago
Hi everyone.

This question has been asked many times, but I didn't think I would be in the predicament, what is the best and quickest way of getting a onwards flight just to show the airline, I'm in UK and fly in the morning, thanks .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question revolves around finding a quick and efficient way to procure an onward flight ticket to satisfy airline check-in requirements prior to traveling to Thailand. Multiple suggestions arise in the comments, including purchasing a refundable ticket or using websites that provide temporary onward travel options. There is a discussion regarding whether airlines are strict about requiring proof of onward travel, with various personal experiences shared that indicate inconsistency in enforcement. Ultimately, the consensus is that while many travelers manage to board flights without an onward ticket, having one minimizes the risk of being denied boarding.
Andrew *******
Why do airlines even bother....everyone is now just getting these cheap throwaway tickets with no intention of using them ...they should stop this requirement of proof of onward flight....there will always be the occasional overstayer with or without proof of onward flight ... annoying and frustrating
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Checked in 1hr ago not asked for visa or onward flight, sat having a beer in departures now ,panic over.

Thank you all for the advice.
Patrick ************
@Chris ********************
will be in Thialand on the 18th.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ***********
you coming up this end mate
Patrick ************
@Chris ********************
will be at the store for a couple days in April
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ***********
message me, call up for a đŸș
Patrick ************
Terary **********
bus tickets.. It's "onward travel" not "onward flight". The last time I did this, I bought tickets from Hat Yai to penang, 12go.asia, it was like $12/USD, That was a couple of years ago (pre covid), the prices might have gone up some.
Allan ******
You can buy a bus ticket also
Andy **********
Forget them "fake" onward ticket sites, if you're worried just book a cheap flight ticket to a neighbouring country, that exits before the time finishes that you will be stamped in for, the best way is to just try to check in first, if you have a problem, just step away from the counter and do it there and then, and show it to the airline staff.
Pete *******
@Andy *********
even a cheap train or bus ticket out will suffice.
Andy **********
@Pete ******
I've heard rumours of people saying it's hit and miss, with bus and train tickets, to prove onward travel, because they want to see a ticket that shows a destination in another country, any train or bus ticket is just a ticket to the border, it's not a ticket that transports you across the border like a flight does, that's why they seem to much prefer you to show a flight, that's my understanding of the situation anyway.
Phil ******
Larry ******
@Phil *****
I always have this loaded on my phone but don't purchase unless they ask. Then i just purchase quick as i tell them, "hold on. i need to get it in my email." Only takes 2 minutes.
Phil ******
@Larry *****
direct this to Chris not me
Larry ******
I assumed he would read the comments but
@Chris ********************
Philip *******
Buy a bus ticket way cheaper
Graham ******
@Philip ******
A waste of money if the airline will not accept it
Philip *******
@Graham *****
a bus ticket out of the country has the same standing as a plane ticket same as a train ticket .
Pete *******
@Graham *****
the airline is not immigration. What exactly is the airlines requirements to carry you?
Graham ******
@Pete ******
An onward ticket within the number of days you will get stamped in for because, if the Immigration Officer denies entry, the airline could become responsible to return the passenger to where they departed from
Pete *******
@Graham *****
just because you are denied entry does not make the airline liable for your return. People have been denied entry on valid visas, does that then make the airline responsible?
Stephen *********
Go to dummy tickets. Get a flight for ten quid.
Pete *******
Why do you need an onward flight?
Della ********
@Pete ******
Because when checking in some airlines will deny you boarding if you can't provide it...
Pete *******
@Della *******
which ones specifically?
Della ********
@Pete ******
Last year at Madrid Airport we were denied boarding. That was with Lufthansa
Della ********
The lady showed us the screen and said the computer won't let me override it. So we had to leave the queue and quickly book a flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Christopher ***********
@Della *******
I was deboarded on the second leg of a three leg flight by Air Europa at Madrid airport.
Pete *******
@Della *******
yet I flew Lufthansa one way from Frankfurt to Bangkok, therefore it’s not airline policy to travel without an onward ticket
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
left it a bit late for my O visa, still showing pending approval. Worried emirates won't let me board in the morning
Pete *******
@Chris ********************
your from the UK thus can enter visa exempt and get a 30 day stamp. You can extend this for another 30 days in country. Once your visa email arrives you can jump in and out of Thailand to activate it. Don’t worry you’ll be fine.
Steve *******
@Pete ******
From the UK Emirates will want to see return/onward travel within 30 days(arriving visa exempt)or the OP will most likely be denied boarding.
Pete *******
@Steve ******
Why? What is the logic? I understand there is liability to the airline if the passenger is refused entry by immigration for not having a visa when one is required but where is the liability if a passenger can enter visa exempt? There is no risk to the airline so what is the issue?
Christopher ***********
@Pete ******
Entry is always at the discretion of the individual immigration officer on the day. Even possessing a tourist visa doesn’t guarantee entry, neither does being able to enter visa exempt.
Pete *******
@Christopher **********
Agree, so how can the airline be liable for your return?
Christopher ***********
@Pete ******
Because you’re airside.
Steve *******
@Pete ******
The risk to the airline is that Thai Immigration can refuse entry without onward travel within 30 days if arriving visa exempt. Immigration will blame the airline for allowing the passenger to travel without the correct documentation.
Pete *******
@Steve ******
and using that logic even arriving with a visa, based on your history or the Immigration Officers mood he can still deny you entry. Therefore the airline would never carry anyone to Thailand. Using visa exempt the passenger HAS the correct documentation. Your argument makes no sense.
Steve *******
@Pete ******
He doesn't have the correct documentation without return or onward travel within 30 days.
Steve *******
@Pete ******
But that wouldn't be the airlines fault. Wake up!
Bart **************
@Pete ******
the point is that the onward ticket is required for entering visa exempt. It's that simple.
Damien ********
@Bart *************
I’ve flown to Thailand several times with only one way ticket

Never had a problem!
Bart **************
@Damien *******
not exactly understanding how that changes anything but thanks for the information I guess.
Regina **********
@Bart *************
True. Swiss for example doesn't always check, but if they do you will not be allowed to board without a return or onward ticket!
Pete *******
@Bart *************
complete bollocks, Lufthansa, KLM, Austria Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Air France don’t give a monkeys if you travel to Thailand on a one way ticket. Speaking from experience, never an issue so it can not be these airlines policy.
Steve *******
@Pete ******
It's completely true, it's your comment that's complete bollocks! It's the policy of all airlines to ensure their passengers have the correct documentation to enter the destination country.
Bart **************
@Pete ******
sorry wuut? đŸ€Ł

What you say there is complete bullocks and you dare to say that of a fact that everyone in this group knows?! Dude 😅

Okay so here we go. Lufthansa, require onward ticket. KLM, require onward ticket. Swiss, no experience. Air France, no experience. But I do know this: they require an onward ticket too. Emirates, flew 6 times and then required it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Okay so instead of going by a single experience when you weren't checked, which can always happen, how about looking up the requirements for entering Thailand? It doesn't really matter which airline you fly with because EVERY airline is supposed to check if your are eligible to enter before boarding. All. Every one of them. It's still a numbers game because the checks could compete with other tasks so indeed to may not get checked, but they absolutely require you to have it, in principle. All airlines.
Pete *******
@Bart *************
you are correct every Airline (not supposed) HAS to check your eligible for boarding. Visa exempt entry = eligible. Otherwise it would be impossible to fly one way into Thailand. And you and I both know you cannot make that statement. Thousands every month fly into Thailand without onward tickets.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
wrong iv checked in this morning with emirates, wasn't asked for visa or onward flight, my return flight is not till June
Pete *******
Thanks for proving my point. Happy travels...
Pete *******
“Could” not will, not must but “could”. You also “could” be denied entry with a valid visa. My point is if it was a legal requirement then nobody could enter on a one way ticket and this is simply not the case.
Pete *******
Regina Mosimann lets have this conversation, why do airlines carry passengers to Thailand without having a return ticket?
Bart **************
@Pete ******
you know very well that an onward ticket is required and that whether or not you are actually checked is a numbers game.

So why do you say that nobody ever gets checked? That there is no chance? That Lufthansa has never in history done that (which I know from experience is false)?
Pete *******
@Bart *************
An onward ticket is not a requirement to enter Thailand. I give you an overzealous check in clerk may ask BUT they are not an immigration officer. Your argument insists that one way travel visa exempt is impossible. And that is simply not the case.
Bart **************
@Pete ******
you are just so wrong man. Why don't you look up the entry requirements for exemption from an official source? The onward ticket is definitely in there.

And where did I say that entering without an onward ticket is impossible? I'm saying it's an enforcement thing. Been saying that from the beginning. You on the other hand are saying that there is a 0% chance of getting checked because it is not an official requirement. I'll concur that there is not really a chance that immigrations will check it, but the second part of this statement is just incorrect.
Pete *******
@Bart *************
I refer to the IATA, an organisation that carriers check to confirm entry requirements. When entering your data there is a box “Do you have a return ticket”. Enter NO for travel to Thailand from UK and the answer you get is yes no problem you can enter Thailand with just a valid passport.
*********************************
Bart **************
@Pete ******
I consulted this page various times so I knew for certain that you are once again wrong. I did it again to show you the below screenshot. And suggesting that if you post sources to make a point, better actually read those yourself at first. It's a bit of a dumb move to post a source that proves yourself wrong. (Not that it matters here because everyone in this group already knew you were wrong; you're contesting one of the most well-known facts about Thai entry rules. But up to you).

Here's the screenshot:
Regina **********
@Pete ******
The airline can deny boarding, even if you enter on visa exempt, without an onward ticket. This is not onheard of. I have been checked for onward travel twice.
Pete *******
@Regina *********
my point is why?
Regina **********
@Pete ******
Just google your question..
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
it's just stories iv heard about airline not letting you board, not returning flight is not till June,
Nigel *********
@Chris ********************
I just sent you a link.
Stefan **********
*************************
Garrett ***********
Buy a refundable ticket. Print out the confirmation, cancel and get refund.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone Iv bought a onward ticket.

Thanks everyone for your help.
Giorgio ******
@Garrett **********
buy on onward ticket for 10$ and throw it away the easiest way . of course not for cheapy Charlies Ah ah ah
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
what's your recommendation for airline or web site please.
Garrett ***********
Brandon ************
Google "onward travel ticket"
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